The Irish standard., 1887-07-23
THE CONGO FREE STATE.
Its Comm nrcial and Political Rl.t'nns to
the European Powers.

TIE CONIO FHEE = t%'-.
Its Commercial and Pol teal II 4. tens to
the European Powers
Portugal seems to be havi ~ 4 con-
niption fit over the way things are
lanased in the Congo Free Safe.
The Portuguese have never got over
the notion that they should have had
the management of af;lirs i'll the Congo
country, and continually look with an
eye of apprehension on what is being
done or projected. That which has
stirred them up nowis the fantastic be-
lief that Tippoo lib. slave-dealer re-
Gently appointed an agent of the Congo
Free State, intends with the co-opera-
tion of Stanley and the con-
sent Of the State, to continue
the interdicted slave trade in Western
Africa. The only justification Of
the opinion is the simple fact. that Tip
poo Tib has been a slave-dealer, and is
now an agent Of the Congo Govern
ment. When it i. explained that this
interesting gentlemen was chosen
solely for the purpose OF securing his
influence with the tribes Of Central
Africa to re-establish Falls Station, the
antic anxiety Of the Portuguese Pa1]ia~
lnent became rather amusing: Portu-
gal may smooth out its bib and tucker
and sit down serenelv confident that
King Leopold Of the Bc]gians will see
T., ~ +L,+ +1,, I>,,or,,,,or+ ~ +I,o C,,,.,-
go Free State will do nothing to scam
dalize its European sponsors.
At the same time, as one Of the in-
ternational guarantors, Portugal is
quite justified III being solictious as to
the sanctity OF q by no means unim-
portant trust. The Congo Free State
was constituted by the general act of
an international conference held at
Berlin February 26, 1885. Articles of
convention recognizing the sovereign
rights of the International Association
of the Congo were. signed by Germany
November 8, 1884; by Great Britain
December l6. 1884; by the Netherlands
December 27, 1854, by France Febru-
ary 5, 1885, and by Portugal February
IA. 1885, and twelve days later the as
sociation was merged into the Free
State. The agreement was to respect
the neutrality and inyio]abilit OF the
State, and hold it's territories and The
rest Of the Congo Basin free to the
trade OF all nations. There was, how
ever, a. reservation of the right to de-
eide, until the end OF a period Of
twenty years whether freedom OF en-
try should continue
The navigation of the Congo was
placed under the direction Of all Inter-
national Commi and on King
leopold. of Belgium, was conferred
Inc sovereignty Of the Free State,
though Belgium and its Governments
have no power in relation to the gov.
srnment of the Free State. The seat
IF the central Government is at Brus-
sells. The State maintains an armed
force Of 1000 men, and the Admins
traitor General Of the local govern-
ment is resident at Bona. There are
:our administrative divisions, the
Lower Congo, Livingstone Falls and
he Pool, the district between the Puol
md the Equator, and tho Upper Congo,
With provincial chiefs. The capital is
LeopoIilville.
The area of the Free State is esti-
mated to be 1056, 200 square miles.
he population being about 27C00. 0D0.
The State embraces q strip along tho
north bank Of the Congo from the
mouth Of the river to Manyanga, the
Of French territory. Il isl
yet a question whether commerce with
he country can be made very profit
sble. 1t is rich in special exports,
oalm-oil, rubber, gum-copal, ivory,
can-wood and orchilla-
weed, but its principal imports are
cheap textile fabrics, spirits, tobacco.
powder and firearms. The induce
nents to trade are not such as prom
Sc to make the Free State very ya}u"
able center of international trade,
hough the extension of railroads from
he coast to tho interior, only q ques-
ion Of the future, will doubtless make
Central and Congo Africa profitable
icld of competition. Chicago Inter
Ocean,